Atlantic City Airshow takes off today over Boardwalk

U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight P-51 buzzes the beach Thursday in Atlantic City during practice for the Atlantic City Airshow on Friday.

Atlantic City’s ability to handle large-scale crowds will be tested today — perhaps more than ever — as hundreds of thousands of people are expected to pour onto Absecon Island for the Atlantic City Airshow.

For the first time, “Thunder Over the Boardwalk” will take place on a Friday, rather than its traditional midweek date. Ten years ago, when the modern show first took place in the resort, organizers said it should be a midweek event to help boost tourism during slower days in Atlantic City.

Friday became the day this year, however, to accommodate an appearance by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds jet team, which arrived in the region Wednesday and will be based at the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing in Egg Harbor Township. The Atlantic City Airshow has included a feature performance by either the Thunderbirds or the U.S. Navy Blue Angels each year since its inception.

Joe Kelly, president of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber, which organizes the show, said having it on a Friday will truly test the marketplace and determine what the city can handle. The chamber has asked the Center for Regional and Business Research at Atlantic Cape Community College to complete an economic impact analysis following the show to determine the effect of a Friday show.

Organizers have suggested that this year’s show could attract as many as 1 million people to Absecon Island and Brigantine, although some experts have questioned the crowd estimates. Last year, the Atlantic City Expressway saw a little more than 23,300 cars pass through the Pleasantville toll plaza eastbound between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the day of the airshow. Traffic was heaviest at 9 a.m., when 4,176 vehicles passed through the plaza, amounting to 93 percent of the plaza’s hourly capacity.

The National Weather Service forecast predicts mostly sunny skies with a high of 85 degrees during the show. Any outdoor after-parties, however, might face less favorable weather: Showers and thunderstorms are likely between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. The chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

The show is centered in front of Boardwalk Hall between Mississippi and Florida avenues. That’s where the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team will land and where music and announcements about the show will be made.

The free show can best be viewed from anywhere on Atlantic City’s beaches, but Brigantine and Ventnor are also popular viewing locations. For the first time this year, Ventnor has opted to host several bands and a ninja demonstration today to break up the time between the acts.

If you go

Where: The best views are from Atlantic City’s beaches from Albany Avenue to South Carolina Avenue, but the show is easily visible from Brigantine to Ventnor.

Viewing for the disabled: For the handicapped, there is a viewing area at the pavilion at Montpelier Avenue and the Boardwalk. Space is limited and will be restricted to those in wheelchairs who cannot access the beach. Handicapped parking is available on Albany Avenue, which has an accessible ramp for entrance onto the Boardwalk.

Who makes it possible: Produced by the Greater Atlantic City Chamber, a host of sponsors make the show possible. They include the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, South Jersey Transportation Authority, FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center, New Jersey Air National Guard 177th Fighter Wing, Longport Media, city of Atlantic City, AtlantiCare, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Atlantic City Jitney Association and others.

Restrooms: Portable bathrooms will be located along Atlantic City’s beaches.

If there’s an emergency: Medical tents and lifeguards will be stationed along Atlantic City’s beaches.

Mobile: Keep up to date with the latest on the show at ACAIR.me. The mobile website will have live video of the show, news updates, photos and Twitter updates from The Press of Atlantic City.

On Twitter: Follow @ACPressJennifer and @emily_previti for live tweets from the airshow

Parking

Atlantic City Expressway, Welcome Center parking lot: The lot is located at milepost 3.5 on the expressway. Jitneys will provide transportation from the lot to Indiana Avenue and the Boardwalk. $20 per vehicle.

Bader Field: The lot is located on Albany Avenue. Jitneys will provide transportation from the lot to Albany Avenue and the Boardwalk. $20 per vehicle.

Other parking: Casino parking garages, The Wave parking garage on Fairmount Avenue and other open-air lots throughout the city will be open. Rates vary.